happy new resident sees development as a catalyst for change in Pill

New residents are settling into their new homes on the site of the former Kings Arms and Top of the Range public houses in Commercial Street, Pill and are hopeful this will be the catalyst for further regeneration in the area.

Built in 1830 and later rebuilt in 1890, the historic and highly prominent Kings Arms had become an eyesore; having laid empty for over 15 years, and had been the subject of arson and source of considerable anti-social behaviour.

The derelict buildings have now been demolished and the site transformed into a modern housing development by local housing, care and support provider Pobl Group. The development comprises a mixture of nine, one and two bedroom apartments with undercroft parking and an adjacent large 4 bedroom house and is being rented through Charter Housing.

31 year old Andrew Kelly moved into a one bedroom apartment in February and was delighted to have the opportunity to show a small group of guests, including Cllr John Richards, the cabinet member for regeneration and investment around his beautiful new home. He said:

“I was both surprised and thrilled to be lucky enough to be allocated my new home, and travelled to Pill every day to watch it being built! I like that the authenticity of the previous building has been retained, and especially love my modern new kitchen and the impressive undercroft parking, which is far more secure than on-street parking.

I was also extremely pleased to read this week about the £8m being invested into the Pill area in general and am hopeful this will further help regenerate Pill into a more attractive, liveable area”.

Andrew Kelly with Neighbourhood Manager Ruth Davies

Rhys Parry, Pobl Director of Development (east) responded by saying “It has been particularly rewarding to have the opportunity to meet Andrew and see how quickly he has settled in.

The new homes mark the latest in a raft of major developments breathing new life into the city of Newport, being delivered by Newport City Council and Pobl, as part of the Welsh Government’s Vibrant and Viable Places programme”.

Councillor John Richards, Newport City Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and investment said: “The transformation of this site has been remarkable. In place of a derelict and neglected building there are now superb new homes for local people, such as Andrew.

“I’m pleased that Newport City Council, through the Vibrant and Viable Places programme, was able to work with Pobl on this excellent project.”

Newport City Council was awarded £15 million of VVP regeneration funding which forms part of the overall £250m investment now taking place in the city centre.